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In 1 Kings 3:16-27 there is a story of two prostitutes who appear before King Shlomo, each having a newborn baby. One of the babies died and there was a dispute as to which one. There were no witnesses to consult and so Shlomo employs his wisdom, by suggesting to cut the baby in half and give each half to one of the women, to discern which woman is the true mother of the living child.

My question is: what would the halacha dictate in this case?

Monica Cellio
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rikitikitembo
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  • Is that חזקת אמהות? It sounds like עריות - who's one to be considered the living child's mom with all the עריות implications? – Al Berko Nov 15 '18 at 15:47
  • Another problem that while הפקר ב"ד הפקר in Mamonos, it does not hold in עריות, so KS can't just rule it he surely need real Halachah. But in the Halacha, as I remember one woman is not trusted to say "this is my son" esp. when contradicted by other. So my call is that the child is ASSUR for both, as maybe he's an Issur and women is trusted in Issurim. – Al Berko Nov 15 '18 at 16:08
  • I'm not suggesting that this story is similar to many Midrashim, which should not always be accepted as literal fact. King Solomon probably actually did suggest splitting the live baby in half. However, I think relating this story indicates that King Solomon knew, in advance, that he wouldn't need to do this, as he was wise enough to predict that one of the mothers would reveal the truth (or, rather, one of the mothers admitted the lie.) Thus, I don't think there is any practicality of ever enacting this scenario. Are you aware of this actually arising, anywhere? – DanF Nov 15 '18 at 18:13
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    How did you think they were 2 prostitutes? Did you see that somewhere? – David Kenner Nov 16 '18 at 05:38
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    Could you explain your question about the "Halachah"? Halachah regarding what exactly? – David Kenner Nov 16 '18 at 05:40
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    @DavidKenner Apart from the fact that they're called זונות? – b a Nov 21 '18 at 01:17
  • @ba good one :) – David Kenner Nov 21 '18 at 02:37

3 Answers3

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In response to a question seeking Radbaz’s opinion as to what was so genius about King Solomon’s judgement (Resp. §1059), Radbaz considers from a halachic standpoint that one could advocate the opinion that a judge/court is permitted to remove an item from its possessor on the basis of circumstantial evidence (which King Solomon deduced). Alternatively, Radbaz entertains the idea that when the second woman suggested “nor you nor I should have this baby...” she essentially released it from her custodial possession.

Oliver
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According to two midrashim quoted in the Hebrew Wikipedia, the rabbis criticised Shlomo for judging this case without witnesses. (One opinion there assumes he actually intended to go through with cutting the child in half, which makes it much worse.)

Clearly, in the absence of any witnesses or evidence the halacha is that המוציא מחברו עליו הראיה - the one in possession maintains it; the Bet Din cannot interfere. However, if we assume that Shlomo's intention was indeed to provoke an identification from the true mother, then this is a permissible act of judicial creativity; Shlomo used his wisdom to solve a problem which is not solvable by the standard rules of halacha.

Josh Friedlander
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  • Hamotzi mechavero means: If someone wants to take something away from his friend, the burden of proof is on him. Bes Din would then interfere. – David Kenner Nov 21 '18 at 02:39
  • Correct. But until he brings a ראיה, the Bes Din does nothing. – Josh Friedlander Nov 21 '18 at 11:47
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    Does hamotzi m'chavayro apply to people? Why would we not apply the rule of chazaka? Or perhaps since the first woman claims everything happened in her sleep she is making a shema claim while the second woman is making a bari claim? – rikitikitembo Nov 21 '18 at 13:54
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    Those are good points. Maybe add them as a new answer? Also, I wonder if R' Osher Weiss discusses this somewhere, it seems right up his alley. – Josh Friedlander Nov 21 '18 at 15:32
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    @JoshFriedlander All you need to do is ask - here you go. – Oliver Jun 18 '19 at 02:46
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Ralbag (1 Kings 3:16)- this was a tactic to determine who was lying which in turn invalidates the liar's testimony. Otherwise the child would remain with whomever was established as having possession of it.

RO"Sh (Responsa Klall 107) - in cases where there judgement is not clear [according to the standard halachic parameters] the judge should not leave things 'undecided until Eliyahu comes' but rather use his understanding to render a judgement based on his intellect as Shlomo did.

rikitikitembo
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